Indiana Pacers: 3 early head coach candidates if Nate McMillan is fired

Pacers head coaching candidates: Mark Jackson

Mark Jackson is JVG’s partner with Mike Breen when commentating ESPN games, and could be an option as the next head coach if the Pacers are looking.

The top point guard in Pacers history as head coach? The inner fan can’t possibly hate everything about the idea of this move. Does it make sense, though? That’s up for you to decide.

Jackson’s last coaching stint was with the Golden State Warriors, leading the team for three seasons. He had a winning record throughout his time in the Bay, but failed to lead the Warriors to playoff success.

Credited widely as establishing the framework of the current Warriors dynasty, Jackson had to watch the years of success for the Warriors from the sidelines, often commentating their games with ESPN, which he’s done over the last several seasons.

Jackson’s Warriors teams were extremely strong rebounding, scoring, and 3-point shooting teams, but Steve Kerr, his successor, was able to truly revolutionize the shooting of Stephen Curry and Klay Thompson, making the team the greatest shooting team in the league for several seasons after Jackson.

Jackson might be philosophically the best coach to lead the Pacers if they are truly choosing a replacement this summer. He likely wouldn’t push the Pacers all the way toward the “3-pointers or bust” mentality, but would nudge them in that direction ever so slightly, which might not be the worst thing.

The main problem would be that Mark Jackson’s teams were so-so defensively. Who knows how that works out in Indiana with stronger pieces on that end.

Perhaps most appealing is Jackson’s love for Pacers basketball. As a former Pacer himself, he understands the culture and won a conference title with the team. He even recently made it known that he feels it’s a travesty that the team hasn’t honored Reggie Miller with a statue outside Bankers Life Fieldhouse yet

Being able to be in that position as a point guard and a head coach should be the ultimate aspiration for someone like him.